There are 12 schools at the Division I level that go by the nickname the Tigers. However, the LSU Tigers mascot and nickname are steeped in more history than the other schools.
Of course, tigers are fast and ferocious, but LSU’s nickname has a military background with deep ties to US history. Let’s jump into exactly why LSU is the Tigers.
Who (or What) is the LSU Tigers Mascot?
LSU’s Tiger mascot, famously known as Mike the Tiger, has been an enduring emblem of the university, with several live tigers taking on the role over the years. The tradition began in the fall of 1896 when coach A.W. Jeardeau led LSU’s football team to an undefeated 6-0 season, during which the nickname “Tigers” was first adopted.
The name “Tigers” was a fitting choice, given that many college teams were named after fierce animals at the time. However, the nickname has deeper roots in the Civil War. The “Fighting Tigers” moniker gained popularity with the 1955 LSU “Fourth-Quarter Ball Club.”
Since November 21, 1936, a live Bengal tiger named Mike has been part of LSU’s traditions. It resides in a habitat across from Tiger Stadium. The costumed version of Mike has been a fixture at LSU athletics events since the 1950s, entertaining fans on the sidelines.
Mike the Tiger supports the team at home games, travels nationwide with LSU teams, and makes public appearances to promote the university’s athletics in Baton Rouge and nearby areas.
In recognition of his role, Mike was named “Most Collegiate Mascot” at the UCA Collegiate Camp held at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa in 2002 and 2003.
Why is LSU the Tigers?
LSU is currently known officially as the Fighting Tigers. However, how they landed on the Tigers nickname dates back to before the Civil War era and has ties to multiple Louisiana militia and army groups who battled in wars, representing Louisiana.
“According to LSU football tradition, the name came from a Civil War regiment known as the Louisiana Tigers, which distinguished itself with its fighting spirit in the battle of the Shenandoah Valley, where it was said they ‘fought like tigers,'” Dan Hardesty explained in his book, “LSU: The Louisiana Tigers.”
However, recent controversy questioned if the Tigers were named after a Confederate regiment, and Hardesty clarified that the Tigers were a common name for battalions from Louisiana, even before the Civil War.
Hardesty stated that since LSU began as a military school, it made sense for the university to adopt a nickname that had historical significance for several of the state’s military outfits.
“As far back as 1845, in the Mexican War, four different volunteer units from Louisiana used the nickname,” wrote Hardesty in his book. “The Washington Artillery Battalion from New Orleans used that name in the Mexican War and again in the Civil War.”
College Football Network has you covered with the latest news and analysis, rankings, transfer portal information, top 10 returning players, the 2024 college football season schedule, and much more!